Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site facts for kids
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Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site
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1973 National Park Service photo of the site
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Trading Post, Kansas |
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| Area | 43 acres (17 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000317 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | June 21, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | May 30, 1974 |
The Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site is a special place in Kansas. It is a state historic site near Trading Post, Kansas. This site helps us remember a sad event from 1858 called the Marais des Cygnes Massacre.
On May 19, 1858, a terrible event happened here. It was during a time known as Bleeding Kansas. A group of people who supported slavery captured 11 people who were against slavery. These prisoners were taken to a nearby ravine. There, 10 of them were shot. Five of these people died.
Later, a famous anti-slavery leader named John Brown built a fort near this site. The first memorials were put up in 1864 by soldiers. However, these stone markers were later destroyed. In 1941, the land where the massacre happened became part of the state of Kansas. An old house from the 1870s, built by a friend of John Brown, was also included.
The site was recognized as an important historical place in 1971. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Today, the Kansas Historical Society takes care of the site. Visitors can learn about the history through signs and an audio recording.
Contents
What Was Bleeding Kansas?
"Bleeding Kansas" was a period of fighting in Kansas during the 1850s. People were arguing about whether Kansas should allow slavery or not.
- Some people wanted Kansas to be a "slave state." This meant slavery would be allowed there.
- Others wanted Kansas to be a "free state." This meant slavery would be against the law.
This disagreement led to many small fights and violent acts. It was like a mini-civil war before the big American Civil War.
Who Were the Groups Involved?
There were two main groups of people fighting in Kansas:
- Pro-slavery people: These people believed slavery should be allowed. Some of them were called "border ruffians." They often came from the nearby state of Missouri.
- Abolitionists and Free-Staters: These people were against slavery. "Abolitionists" wanted to end slavery everywhere. "Free-staters" wanted Kansas to be a free state.
The Tragic Day: May 19, 1858
The Marais des Cygnes Massacre was one of the worst events during "Bleeding Kansas." It showed how serious the conflict was.
- A group of "border ruffians" rode into the town of Trading Post, Kansas.
- They captured 11 men who were known to be against slavery.
- The prisoners were forced to walk to a deep ditch, or ravine, nearby.
- There, the "border ruffians" shot the unarmed men. Five of them died, and others were badly hurt.
This event shocked people across the country. It made the fight over slavery even more intense.
Remembering the Past
The Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site helps us remember this sad part of history. It teaches us about the struggles people faced.
- After the massacre, John Brown built a small fort nearby. He wanted to protect people who were against slavery.
- Years later, people started to honor the victims. Stone markers were placed at the site in 1864.
- In 1941, the land became a state historic site. This helped protect it for future generations.
- The site was later recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it is very important to the history of the United States.
Visiting the Site Today
Today, the Marais des Cygnes Massacre Site is a quiet park. It is a place for reflection and learning.
- You can visit the site and see where these events happened.
- There are signs that explain the history.
- You can also listen to an audio recording that tells the story of the massacre.
- The site helps us understand the difficult times before the Civil War.
